The role of a HR Assistant is a great place to start if you are looking for a career in HR. To do this role you need to be good with people and have a good standard of general education such as English and Maths.
The role of a HR Assistant is office based (normally) where you will help to look after the hiring and developing employees, this includes the employee’s welfare whilst they are in your employment.
Although you don’t need a specific qualification to start off, employers at some stage would like you to do qualifications from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). Aside from that you will need a good standard of education and some relevant administration and office work experience. Some qualifications you can do part time and study whilst in employment.
The role is an extremely confidential one where you also need to be very tactful but friendly and sometimes you need to be very firm with employees too.
A HR Assistant role will involve:
- Advertising and Interviewing for staff
- Keeping accurate employee records
- Assist with planning staff training and development
- Pay and Benefits
- Staff services
- Equality, Health and Safety
- Complaints, Disciplinary Procedures and Grievances.
- Developing policies and procedures
- Issuing documents to employees
- Providing advice
Depending on the size of the company will depend on whether you have a general role or you specialise in an area or two.
To be a HR Assistant you will need to have good communication skills both written and verbal, be able to build up good relationships with your working colleagues as you will spend a lot of time dealing with them, be exceptionally discreet with confidential information and maintain a fair attitude towards everyone. You will also need to be very organised and good on computers.